CN1935100B - Clinical review and analysis work flow for lung nodule assessment - Google Patents

Abstract

An image display system includes a user-configurable viewport for viewing and analyzing image data. The user configurable viewports include an observation viewport (10) and an analysis viewport (20). The viewing viewport (10) displays multiple image views of the image data in viewing mode. An analysis viewport (20) displays multiple image views of the image data in an analysis mode. The observation viewport (10) and the analysis viewport (20) may be configured to simultaneously display relevant image data.

Description

Clinical Observation and Analysis Workflow for Pulmonary Nodule Evaluation

technical field

The present invention relates generally to display systems, and more particularly to image data display systems for reviewing and analyzing medical data.

Background technique

Anatomical data acquired by an imaging device producing a 3D dataset is typically achieved by volumetrically reproducing intensity and/or density values (e.g., Hounsfield Unit (HU) in the case of computed tomography (CT)) display. Many clinical applications are based on the three-dimensional (3D) display of volumetric data; these include advanced pulmonary analysis, advanced vascular analysis, cardiac applications, CT colonography, and others. These applications rely on image data (intensity or density) values to display a 3D rendering of a selected anatomy using thresholding techniques that identify the selected anatomy from the remaining data.

Some of these applications are commonly used to screen for tumorous forms of cancer. For example, radiologists use methods such as advanced lung analysis (ALA) and computed tomography colonography (CTC) to look for nodules and polyps in the lungs and colon.

Radiologists currently find nodules in the lungs by looking at axial image slices of the chest. This method is time-consuming and becomes more time-consuming as the number of CT slices increases. After discovery, nodules are characterized by individual analysis with the help of Advanced Lung Analysis (ALA) segmentation, volume measurement and reporting tools. Radiologists also need to view the images produced during nodule analysis. Image views with viewing and analysis functions are displayed separately. The radiologist then has to switch between separate displays of the multiple image views relevant for viewing and/or analysis during the examination procedure. As the number of CT slices increases, viewing of all image views during the various steps of viewing and analysis becomes very time-consuming and cumbersome, as the radiologist must switch back and forth between image views multiple times using multiple navigation commands .

The processing algorithms used for various observation and analysis tools have been optimized to reduce the processing time of individual tools and algorithms. With new detection capabilities such as digital contrast agents (DCA) that improve the time to view and analyze image data, there is a need to simplify workflows involving viewing and analysis functions, i.e., reduce navigation steps and switch between them, reducing the time it takes to complete an inspection.

Contents of the invention

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an image display system is provided that includes a user-configurable viewport for viewing and analyzing image data. User configurable viewports include an observation viewport and an analysis viewport. The Observe viewport displays multiple image views of image data in Observe mode. The Analysis Viewport displays multiple image views of image data in analysis mode. The observation viewport and the analysis viewport can be configured to simultaneously display related image data.

In another exemplary embodiment, a method of displaying image data is provided, the method comprising selecting image data to be observed and analyzed and in an observation viewport configured to display a plurality of image views in an observation mode Display image data. Mark nodules in the observation field of view. The method also includes analyzing the image data of the marked nodule and displaying the results of the analysis in an analysis viewport configured to display the plurality of image views in an analysis mode. Both the observation viewport and the analysis viewport are displayed for the relevant image data.

In another exemplary embodiment, a computer data storage device including computer readable program code is provided. The computer readable program code is configured to perform a method for viewing and analyzing display image data.

Description of drawings

Referring to the exemplary drawings, in which elements are labeled alike in the several figures:

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a digitized image of a medical data display including a viewport displaying an image view according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows another exemplary embodiment of a digitized image of a medical data display including a viewport displaying an image view according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows another exemplary embodiment of a digitized image of a medical data display including a viewport displaying an image view according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 shows another exemplary embodiment of a digitized image of a medical data display including a viewport displaying an image view according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary embodiment of an image display system including a data storage device and a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

reference sign

10 Observe the viewing area

100 image display system

102 Image View - Observation (Axial)

104 Image View - Observation ("thicker" image for axial slice)

106 Image View - Observation (Spherical 3D)

108 Image View - Observation

110 Image View - Observation (x-ray coronal projection of the lungs)

112, 114, 116, 118, 120 Image Views - Observation

20 Analysis Viewport

202, 204, 206, 208, 210, 212, 214, 216, 218, 220, 222, 224, 226 Image View - Analysis

30 app viewports

40 nodules

42X cross hair

44 indicator box

46 contours

48 indicators

50 anatomical objects

200 data storage devices

210 visual display device

220 storage devices

230 data access device

240 input device (keyboard)

250 input device (mouse)

260 display system tools

Detailed ways

Disclosed herein in exemplary embodiments is a system and method that simplifies the workflow of viewing and analyzing acquired data from an imaging system with reference to computed tomography (CT) or positron emission tomography (PET) imaging system. While exemplary systems and methods of viewing and analyzing this data are disclosed with reference to computed tomography (CT) imaging systems, it should be understood that such disclosure is illustrative only, and it should be appreciated that the methods and systems disclosed herein may be used with other imaging systems , such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), x-ray or ultrasound systems. It should also be noted that these exemplary embodiments include identification, analysis, and comparison of suspicious pulmonary nodules, which can be applied in various imaging fields, including, but not limited to, vascular analysis, colonic and cardiovascular segmentation using the imaging techniques described above, Industrial evaluation or inspection systems, or where inspection of detailed or small features is essentially required.

Radiologists currently find nodules in the lungs by manually viewing axial slices of the chest in one display of image data. When the number of CT slices increases, the time required by radiologists increases with the increase of CT slices to be observed. After this observation (or discovery step), the identified nodules are analyzed in another display of the image data. A user configurable viewport in an exemplary embodiment of the invention provides a displayable viewport of an image view of image data in an observation mode and an analysis mode. These viewports are displayed simultaneously so that the radiologist does not have to view separate displays of image data for the viewing and analysis functions. These displays can be synchronized so that nodule location indications can be displayed in multiple views with viewing and analysis capabilities. Data displays from multiple exams and data sets can also be displayed, synchronized and registered simultaneously to further simplify the viewing and analysis capabilities of the imaging system.

Referring now to FIG. 1 , an exemplary embodiment of an image display system 100 including an observation viewport 10 and an analysis viewport 20 is shown. Observation viewport 10 includes a plurality of image views 102, 104, 106, 108, and 110 of a set of image data. Analysis viewport 20 includes a set of multiple image views 202, 204, 206, and 208 of the image data. Both the observation viewport 10 and the analysis viewport 20 may be configured to simultaneously display relevant image data.

FIG. 1 shows that the observation viewport 10 is displayed to the left of the analysis viewport 20 . A user may configure observation viewport 10 and/or analysis viewport 20 to display views 102, 104, 106, 108, 202, 204, 206, and 208 at any of a number of locations within the respective viewport. In an alternative embodiment, the analysis viewport 20 may be configured to be displayed on the left side of the analysis viewport 20 .

The depiction of the observation viewport 10 and the analysis viewport 20 as a left-right configuration in FIG. 1 is for illustrative purposes only. The observation viewport 10 and the analysis viewport 20 may also be configured to display the viewports in a top-bottom structure.

Viewing viewport 10 may include an image view showing the region of anatomical object 50 having nodule 40 therein. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 , for example, views 102 and 112 show axial source images from a CT lung scan with an axial slice of nodule 40 . Views 104 and 116 show thicker maximum intensity projection (MIP) images of view 102 with nodule 40 . As used herein, "thicker" refers to a MIP on a slice that is thicker than the native slice in view 102 . View 106 shows a spherical three-dimensional maximum intensity projection of the segmented lung region, and view 110 shows an x-ray coronal total projection of the patient's lung region, both with nodules 40 . View 114 shows a coronal reformatted view and view 118 shows a sagittal reformatted view. In an exemplary embodiment, observation viewport 10 may be configured to display a region of anatomical object 50 containing more than one nodule 40 .

In a relative sense, observation viewport 10 may be considered to include a "wider" view, for example providing a perspective view of nodule 40 in the surrounding anatomical region relative to a perspective view of nodule 40 of a larger area of anatomical object 50. Or a perspective view of an area with more than one nodule 40 . Referring to Figures 1 and 2, views 106, 110, 114, and 118 show nodule 40 relative to a larger area of the patient's lung. Views 102 , 104 , 108 , 112 , and 116 show nodule 40 and the area generally surrounding nodule 40 . Basically, views 102 , 104 , 106 , 108 , 110 , 112 , 114 , 116 , and 118 are displayed in a “view mode” to allow physicians or radiologists to "Viewing" the displayed image of the marked nodule and/or the anatomical region associated with the marked nodule.

In an exemplary embodiment, observation viewport 10 may be configured to display image views simultaneously. Referring to FIG. 1, for example, if the images of one of the views 102, 104, 106, 108, and 110 are oriented to a different location, the subset of images in the remaining views can be shifted to match the images in this one view. The synchronized display includes more than one of the image views 102 , 104 , 106 , 108 , and 110 of the viewing viewport 10 .

In another exemplary embodiment, viewing viewport 10 may be configured to display an indicator identifying nodule 40 at a corresponding location in views 102 , 104 , 106 , 108 , and 110 . Referring to Figures 1 and 2, views 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, and 118 each have a nodule 40 indicated in place relative to the image in that view. For example, in FIG. 1 , views 106 and 110 show nodule 40 indicated to the right of the lung region. In an alternative embodiment, indications 48 of nodules 40 may be displayed in subsets of views 102 , 104 , 106 , 108 , and 110 . More than one nodule 40 may be indicated in the image view of the observation viewport 10, which is feasible when there may be more than one nodule 40 in the displayed anatomical region.

In an exemplary embodiment, observation viewfield 10 may be configured to allow nodule 40 to be marked or selected. Selection of nodules 40 may be performed by image display system 100 or by a user. For example, a user may mark a nodule 40 in, for example, the observation viewport 10 through the navigation or command steps provided by the image display system 100 .

In other exemplary embodiments, the image display system 100 may include a tool for identifying the nodule 40, such as a digital contrast agent (DCA). A further description of DCA will be discussed in more detail later. The DCA may provide an indication of the location of the nodule 40 relative to the displayed anatomical object 50 or region within the observation viewport 10 . The DCA can also be configured to allow selection of the size of the DCA to further provide customization of the viewing and analysis functions of the image display system 100 . The observation viewport 10 or the analysis viewport 20 can be configured to allow selection of the size of the DCA to further customize the viewport and data display system.

In an alternative embodiment, nodule 40 may be selected by a combination of image display system 100 and user selection. For example, the DCA may provide an indicator 48 at the location of a suspicious nodule based on the settings of the DCA. Basically, DCA can be started on any viewport. In an exemplary embodiment, DCA responses may be displayed as red objects. In an alternative embodiment, the indicator 48 may display nodule segmentation in the coronal, sagittal or transverse axial field of view, independent of DCA.

DCA is a method for highlighting spherical or cylindrical objects in the response of DCA, helping users locate suspicious objects or nodules. In an exemplary embodiment, such a method may set an effective filter threshold size, eg, millimeters in diameter, for all DCA objects, and display only those objects relative to the selected size. For example, only DCA objects in DCA responses greater than a set threshold but less than a maximum threshold may be displayed. The maximum threshold may be determined by the user or may be the size of the anatomical object 50, such as an organ, relative to which nodules are viewed and analyzed. In an optional embodiment, the displayed DCA objects may only include those objects whose size is smaller than or equal to a set threshold.

The effective size can be set by a preference in the DCA tool, or changed interactively using the user interface controls. The DCA filter essentially compares the selected size to the DCA objects and filters all those objects relative to the set size. For example, the effective volume of the detected object (eg the volume of all connected components of the DCA response) can be calculated and compared to what the effective spherical value would be based on the effective filter size.

The user can then observe the suspicious nodule to determine if the suspicious nodule should be further analyzed. A user may then flag suspicious nodules for further analysis, such as providing an indicator 48 , via any of a number of commands or tools provided by the image data system 100 . Advantageously, using a tool to assist a user in identifying nodules can reduce the time required to complete the viewing and analysis of the image data. In addition, the accuracy of identifying nodules can be improved.

Referring to FIG. 1 , analysis viewport 20 may include image views 202 , 204 , 206 , and 208 that display nodule 40 in a more detailed or enlarged view. In an exemplary embodiment, views 202, 204, 206, and 208 may also include areas immediately surrounding nodule 40 or other anatomical features. In yet another exemplary embodiment, analysis viewport 20 may be configured to display a subset of the plurality of nodules 40 that may be displayed in observation viewport 10, as described above.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 , for example, views 202 and 210 show nodule views of nodule 40 only, thereby providing a determination of nodule 40's shape, location, and composition. Image views 202 , 206 , 210 , and 214 also display analysis parameters including nodule characteristics and volume parameters in text surrounding the periphery of image view 202 . Views 206 and 214 show nodule occluded views of nodule 40 and surrounding vessels in the immediate vicinity of nodule 40 . Views 204 and 212 show the axial profile, while image views 208 and 216 show the sagittal profile of the segmented nodule in the axial and sagittal views.

Basically, the views 202, 204, 206, 208, 210, 212, 214, and 216 are displayed in "analysis mode" to provide information about the nodule 40 to the physician or radiologist to further assist them in diagnosing and analyzing the nodule. Section 40 and anatomical object 50.

In a relative sense, the analytical viewport 20 may be considered to include a "partial" view of the anatomical object 50, as compared to the observation viewport 10, for example, providing a view of the nodule 40 in a detailed or enlarged view or, placing the nodule The view of 40 is provided as a single object that is a subset of a larger group of identified nodules 40 . As noted above, these "partial" views may include the area immediately surrounding the nodule 40 or may include anatomical features in the area immediately surrounding the nodule 40 .

In an exemplary embodiment, analysis viewport 20 may be configured to display image views simultaneously. Referring to FIG. 1, for example, if the images in one of the views 202, 204, 206, and 208 are manipulated in a different orientation, a subset of the images in the remaining views may be shifted to match the images in this one view. The simultaneous display includes more than one of the image views 202 , 204 , 206 , and 208 of the analysis viewport 20 .

In another exemplary embodiment, the analysis viewport 20 may be configured to display an indicator 48 that identifies a nodule 40 at a corresponding location in the image view. Referring to FIG. 1 , each of the views 202 , 204 , 206 , and 208 has a nodule 40 indicated in place relative to the images in the other views 202 , 204 , 206 , and 208 . In an alternative embodiment, indications of nodules 40 may be displayed in subsets of views 202 , 204 , 206 , and 208 .

In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 , observation viewport 10 and analysis viewport 20 may be configured to simultaneously display views 102 , 104 , 106 , 10 g , 110 , 202 , 204 , 206 , and 208 . For example, if the images of one of the views 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, 202, 204, 206, and 208 are oriented to different locations, then a subset of the remaining views can be matched to the images in this one view move.

In other exemplary embodiments, if the user selects a nodule 40 other than the nodule currently displayed in the observation viewport 10 and the analysis viewport 20, the views 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, 202 , 204 , 206 and 208 may be refreshed to display the different nodule 40 in observation mode in observation viewport 10 and in analysis mode in analysis viewport 20 , respectively. The simultaneous display includes at least one image view 102 , 104 , 106 , 108 , and 110 of the observation viewport 10 , and at least one image view 202 , 204 , 206 , and 208 of the analysis viewport 20 .

Users can view images of all medical data simultaneously in their "observe" and "analyze" modes without having to switch between images or modes. Advantageously, the number of user navigation commands or steps can be reduced, thereby reducing the time to complete the viewing and analysis functions of the inspection. In addition, since the user can spend less time navigating through the image display system 100, the user can now focus on the observation and analysis of the image data, which can improve the quality of diagnosis.

In another exemplary embodiment, the observation viewport 10 and the analysis viewport 20 may be configured to display an indicator 48 that identifies a nodule 40 at a corresponding location in the image view. Referring to FIG. 1 , each view 102 , 104 , 106 , 108 , and 110 has a nodule 40 indicated in place relative to the images in the other views 202 , 204 , 206 , and 208 . In alternative embodiments, the indication may be displayed in a subset of the images or in a subset of the views 102 , 104 , 106 , 108 , 110 , 202 , 204 , 206 and 208 .

The indicators 48 of nodules 40 in the observation viewport 10 and analysis viewport 20 may be displayed by any of a variety of visual display devices including, but not limited to, color highlights, indicator boxes 44, crosshairs 42. The action of drawing an outline, text marking, marking an audible signal, or displaying by a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing. The color highlight may comprise any of a variety of colors that visually distinguish the location of the nodule 40 from the surrounding area. Text tags can include alphanumeric characters. For example, it is conceivable to index the nodules 40 using characters forming words or labels for further reference during inspection. Motion indicia may include an indication of visual "motion" in some manner, such as blinking, spinning, or pulsating. Audible signals may include rings, hums, spoken words, etc., and any signal suitable for the purposes disclosed herein.

In an exemplary embodiment, a single indicator 48 may be displayed to indicate nodule 40 . In an alternative embodiment, nodules 40 may be indicated using a combination of indicators 48 . Referring to FIG. 1 , views 106 , 108 , 110 , 202 , and 206 illustrate nodule 40 with an X-shaped crosshair. Views 102 and 104 indicate nodule 40 with X-shaped crosshair 42 and indicator box 44 . Views 204 and 208 have an X-shaped crosshair 42 and an indicator box 44, the border of the nodule 40 is drawn 46 with a darker line to contrast with the surrounding area.

In other exemplary embodiments, the image display system 100 may be configured to display and operate a utility viewport 30 . The application viewport 30 may include navigation functions and reporting and/or document commands for use with the observation viewport 10 and/or the analysis viewport 20 . For example, users may wish to store image data, image views, analysis results, and diagnostic opinions in DICOM SR format (from Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (Digital Imaging and Communication in Medicine)), which is developed by ACR-NEMA (American College of Radiology- A standard developed by the NatioRal Electrical Manufacturer's Association for communication between medical imaging equipment. Reports can be output in DICOM SR format and indicated nodules can be saved in RTSS file format (standard within DICOM for radiation therapy). The analytics viewport 20 may also be configured to display and/or operate any of the various application functions described above.

In an exemplary embodiment, the observation viewport 10 may be configured to display any of a plurality of image views of the image data, including, but not limited to, axial views, coronal views, sagittal views, occluded (three-dimensional) views etc., or any "wider" perspective suitable for the purposes described herein. The viewing viewport 10 may also be configured to display and/or manipulate bookmarking, classification of nodules 40, or any of the various application functions described above.

In an exemplary embodiment, analysis viewport 20 may be configured to display any of a plurality of image views associated with an analysis tool, or any "partial" perspective suitable for the purposes described herein. Including, but not limited to, bookmarking, segmentation, volume rendering, volume calculation, growth analysis, size analysis, total nodule volume, percentage volume of nodules relative to anatomical region volume, classification of nodules 40, etc.

Analysis tools may include a method for fully automatic segmentation of the trachea and lungs from computed tomography, such as described in commonly assigned US patent application Ser. No. 11/085,736, filed March 25, 2005. Lung segmentation enables focusing on lung regions only and is a key preprocessing step for several other tools in Advanced Lung Analysis (ALA), such as the Digital Contrast Agent (DCA) algorithm, automatic registration Algorithm and lung shape display, including the ability to adjust the display of cross-slices to allow focus on lung regions.

Another analysis tool may include a method of displaying and detecting anatomical shapes using post-processing of three-dimensional filtering to suppress spurious responses, such as described in commonly assigned US patent application Ser. No. 10/961,245, filed Oct. 8, 2004. Here, disproportionate responses (e.g., spherical and cylindrical) can be postprocessed using anatomical information to minimize crosstalk of responses and/or postprocessed using response classification algorithms to reduce crosstalk. size, followed by a display process that displays the response.

Another analysis tool may include real-time methods of anatomical shape filtering and visualization of any three-dimensional volume data set, such as described in commonly assigned US patent application Ser. No. 10/709,355, filed April 29,2004. Spherical and cylindrical shapes in CT scans can be enhanced using algorithms for shape filtering methods, such as those involving DCA.

Another analysis tool may include implementing a shape filtering method in real time on an anisotropic volumetric dataset, such as described in commonly assigned US patent application Ser. No. 11/079,694, filed March 14,2005. Here, filtering methods can be used to track longitudinal changes in shape and size of various anatomical and pathological structures.

As noted above, embodiments of the present invention may include one or more of the analysis tools described above.

In other exemplary embodiments, image data display system 100 may be configured to display a "wider" image view of observation viewport 10 and a "partial" image view of analysis viewport 20 in various configurations. For example, when the user chooses to configure the image display system, the image views of the observation viewport 10 and the analysis viewport 20 can be alternately displayed or grouped. Referring to FIG. 3 , the single image view 218 of the analysis viewport 20 is aligned with the image views 102 , 106 , 108 , and 120 of the observation viewport 10 . FIG. 4 shows an alternative embodiment of image display system 100 in which the set of image views 220, 222, 224, and 226 of analysis viewport 20 are configured to be displayed in the upper right portion of the display layout. The inspection views 102 , 114 , and 118 of the observation viewport 10 are displayed relative to the set of image views of the analysis viewport 20 . Basically, the user can configure the observation viewport 10 and the analysis viewport 20 to display any of a plurality of image views of the data to efficiently perform the observation and analysis functions of the inspection.

The image display system 100 may also include a single visual display device or multiple visual display devices. A single visual display device may be referred to as a "single-head layout", while multiple visual display devices may be referred to as a "double-head layout". Figures 1 and 2 show exemplary embodiments of double-headed layouts. Figures 3 and 4 show exemplary embodiments of single-head layouts. FIG. 5 shows an exemplary embodiment of a visual display device 210 and a data storage device 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Image display system 100 and user configurable viewports 10 , 20 and 30 are indicated for display on visual display device 210 .

In another exemplary embodiment, the image data may include a first data set and a second data set. The first data set is acquired before the second data set, for example from two different examinations. Image data display system 100 may be further configured to register image data from multiple exams. Advantageously, selected regions of the anatomical object 50 that may include the nodule 40 are synchronized so that the user can evaluate changes in the nodule 40 . Observation viewport 10 or analysis viewport 20 may be configured to display registered image views of multiple exams.

For purposes of illustration only, FIGS. 1-4 are presented to describe the configuration of the observation viewport 10 and the analysis viewport 20 for a single examination. Observation viewport 10 and analysis viewport 20 may also be configured to display image views from the first and second image data sets.

Exemplary embodiments of methods of displaying image data are also provided. The method includes selecting image data to be viewed and analyzed. As noted above, the image data may include two data sets from multiple examinations or data acquisitions. In an alternative embodiment, selecting image data may include configuring a digital contrast agent (DCA) to define a size of the DCA.

The image data is displayed in a viewing viewport 10 configured to display the first set of image views in viewing mode. Displaying the image in the observation viewport 10 may include synchronizing the image views in the observation viewport 10 . In an exemplary embodiment, displaying image data in observation viewport 10 may include displaying indicator 48 of nodule 40 . In alternative embodiments, indication 48 may be provided by the DCA, the user, or both.

The nodule may be marked in the observation field of view 10 by a tool 260 of the image display system 100 such as a digital contrast agent (DCA), a computer program or an algorithm. The user may also mark nodules in the observation viewport 10 using appropriate navigation keys or commands via the input means 240 or 250 to the data storage device 200, as shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIG.

The image data of the marked nodules are analyzed by the image display system 100 . Analysis of the image data may be performed automatically by the image display system 100, or may require the user to initiate the analysis through defined keys or commands using the input devices 240 or 250 as shown in FIG. In an exemplary embodiment, the analysis function performed on the image data may be preset in the image display system 100 or may be selectively selected by a user.

The results of the analysis function are displayed in an analysis viewport 20 configured for displaying the image viewset in analysis mode. Displaying the images in the analysis viewport 20 may include synchronizing the image views in the analysis viewport 20 . In an exemplary embodiment, displaying the image data in analysis viewport 20 may include displaying indicator 48 of nodule 40 .

In another exemplary embodiment, both the observation viewport 10 and the analysis viewport are displayed for the relevant image data. Simultaneous display may include synchronizing the image views in the observation viewport 10 and the analysis viewport 20 .

In another embodiment, a computer data storage device 200 is provided. Computer storage data device 200 may include storage means 220 such as RAM or other storage devices and data access means 230 such as disk drives. A technical effect of the exemplary embodiments is a simplified workflow involving observation and analysis functions that reduces navigation steps and the need to switch between multiple image views.

In an alternative embodiment, the computer storage device 200 may include a computer readable program configured to execute the method of displaying image data. The method includes selecting image data to be viewed and analyzed, displaying the image data in an observation viewport 10 configured to display a plurality of image views in an observation mode, marking a nodule 40 in the observation viewport 10, analyzing Image data of the marked nodule 40, display of analysis results in an analysis viewport 20 configured to display an additional plurality of image views in an analysis mode, and simultaneous display of the observation viewport and the analysis viewport 20 .

While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (10)

1. An image data display system, comprising: User-configurable viewports for viewing and analyzing image data, including: an observation viewport (10) for displaying a first plurality of image views of image data in an observation mode; and an analysis viewport (20) for displaying a second plurality of image views of the image data in analysis mode, wherein the observation viewing area (10) and the analysis viewing area (20) are configured to simultaneously display relevant image data, wherein a change in the orientation of an image in a portion of at least one of the observation field of view (10) and the analysis field of view (20) results in The orientation of the other image changes accordingly. 2. The image data display system according to claim 1, further comprising a digital contrast agent (DCA) having a DCA response configured to allow selection of a first size threshold of the DCA response, wherein the viewing field (10) is further configured to allow selection of a first size threshold for the DCA. 3. An image data display system according to claim 2, wherein the first size threshold allows selective display of the DCA response relative to the first size threshold. 4. The image display system (100) of claim 3, wherein the displayed DCA response is larger than the first size threshold and smaller than the second size threshold. 5. The image data display system according to claim 1, wherein the observation viewport (10) and the analysis viewport (20) are configured to simultaneously display a third set of image views, the third set of image views comprising the first multiple at least one of the image views and at least one of the second plurality of image views. 6. The image data display system according to claim 5, wherein the observation viewing area (10) and the analysis viewing area (20) are configured to display the identified nodule at a corresponding position in each image view of the third set (40) indicator. 7. A method of displaying image data for observation and analysis, the method comprising: selecting image data to be observed and analyzed; displaying said image data in an observation viewport (10) configured for displaying a first plurality of image views in an observation mode; marking nodules (40) in the observation field of view (10); analyzing image data of marked nodules (40); displaying analysis results in an analysis viewport (20) configured to display a second plurality of image views in an analysis mode; and Simultaneously displaying an observation viewport (10) and an analysis viewport (20) for the associated image data; Automatically altering at least one of the observation viewport (10) and the analysis viewport (20) in response to a change in orientation of an image in a portion of at least one of the observation viewport (10) and the analysis viewport (20) Orientation of another image in another part of one. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein selecting image data includes configuring a digital contrast agent (DCA) size threshold that allows nodules larger than the size threshold and smaller than a maximum threshold to be selectively displayed. 9. The method of claim 7, wherein marking the nodule (40) for analysis includes digital contrast agent (DCA) indicating nodules (40), user indicating nodules (40), or both. 10. The method of claim 7, wherein simultaneously displaying the observation viewport (10) and the analysis viewport (20) includes synchronizing the first plurality of image views and the second plurality of image views.

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